Proverbs and sayings

Proverbs and sayings are the generalization of human experiences and wisdom. They are noted for expressing the matter of things in just a few words. Their relevance has been everlasting and remains. Many proverbs refer to bread, wine and herbs which is always highly regarded in all (Danube) countries.

We created a collection of proverbs gathered by the participants about bread, wine and herbs in their countries to compare them and to find out what they have in common and what is different about them.

Click on one of the flags below in order to read the proverbs gathered by the partners of the respective countries!

There are in Germany many proverbs linked with “bread”. Seniors collected a lot, but they have the big task to research what is the meaning behind, in which time they had been performed in oder to discover the historical, social, cultural and religious context.

Gdje nedostaje kruha, sve je na prodaju. – Where there is no bread, everything is on sale.

Ako kruh dobro zamijesiš, a loše ispečeš, daj ga psu; ako ga loše zamijesiš, a dobro spečeš, daj ga kome hoćeš. – If you knead bread dough well, but bake it poorly, give it to a dog; if you knead it poorly, but bake it well, give it to whomever you want.

Dug je dan kad kruha nema. – Day is too long when there is no bread.

I bolest s kruhom je dobra. – Even illness is good with bread.

Ljubili se kao kruh i vino. – They loved each other like bread and wine.

Pred kruhom se i pas smiruje. – Even dog calms down before the bread.

Lakše se nauči kruh jesti, nego ga zaraditi. – It is easier to learn how to eat bread than to earn it.

Ako svoj kruh zaradiš poštenim radom, jest ćeš ga i nasred ulice. – If you earn your bread working honestly,you shall eat it in even the middle of the road.

Na ovom svijetu ništa nije nužno osim kruha. – There is nothing in this world as important as bread

Kruh izvan kuće ili je preslan ili je prepečen. – Out of home bread is either too salty or over baked.

Bulgaria

Romania

Moldova

Proverbs reflect the spirit of the people. The Moldovan people has accumulated numerous proverbs about bread. Reading them, one understands the values of the people and their history-long struggle for a better life. When bread is mentioned in a proverb, there is always a deeper meaning guiding one towards better behaviour and attitudes.

The collection of selected proverbs below (translated almost literally to reflect their spirit) are valuable instruments for education and guidance of children and adults. They come as a precious quintessence of Moldovan people’s beliefs. They point to everyone who can read the deeper meaning a recipe for success and prosperity, a path to sound health, happy relationships and spiritual growth.